Whether you are a patient or visitor at West Hills Hospital & Medical center, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

Surgical Procedures for Brain Tumors

If you are healthy enough to tolerate it, surgery is the first option to be considered when approaching the treatment of
brain tumors
. The goals of surgery depend on what type of tumor is suspected based on the history, clinical findings, and images. The hope is always that the entire tumor can be removed, although some tumor will remain after surgery with most tumor types. If only a small amount of tumor can be safely removed, most surgeons prefer to take a
biopsy
only to identify the tumor type. Then, non-operative therapies such as
radiation
are used.

Surgical procedures include:

Craniotomy

Biopsy

Shunts

Microsurgery

Mapping

Embolization

Craniotomy

Craniotomy means "cutting into the head." All conventional brain surgery begins this way. The opening will be as close to the tumor as possible. Some tumors are best approached through the nose or the top of the neck. Most approaches go through the scalp and the skull to expose the upper part of the brain, which is called the cortex.

The skin, usually the scalp, is shaved and an incision is made. Then a piece of the skull is removed to expose the brain. In some cases, after the brain is exposed, the surgeon may do some mapping to identify functional areas of the brain. The tumor will be exposed, isolated from normal brain, and removed. The surgery may take many hours.

Biopsy

A biopsy is a sampling of tissue. The doctor examines the biopsy to make a diagnosis. Biopsy tissue can be obtained via a craniotomy, or it can be obtained through a smaller surgery called a stereotactic biopsy. The surgeon drills a small hole through the skull. Then, images are used to guide a needle into the brain and tumor. A sample of tissue is removed. The decision of whether to proceed with a biopsy or a larger craniotomy will be made by your surgical team.

Shunts

Pressure inside the skull is a critical factor, since the brain is very sensitive to pressure changes. Increasing pressure impairs brain function rapidly and can be potentially fatal. If this happens, it can be treated with a procedure known as a shunt.

A small hole is made in the skull. Through this hole, a tube is inserted into one of the fluid-filled spaces inside the brain. The other end of the tube is passed under the skin from the head to the trunk where it drains fluid into the heart or abdomen. A one-way valve in the tube prevents back flow into the brain.
A potential problem with a shunt is that when fluid is moved from the brain to the lower portions of the body, the brain tumor cells are also moved. This is a risk the patient and surgeon must discuss prior to the placement of a shunt.

Operating microscopes are commonly used during neurosurgery. Magnification increases the precision with which an operation can be done.

Microsurgery

Mapping

The surgeon may need to know exactly what function is performed by parts of the brain near the surgical site. There are several ways to map your brain. Some are used during surgery; while others do not require surgery. They may involve:

Additional Surgical Procedures

Thermal destruction instruments such as lasers—can be placed in the exact spot to destroy tumor tissue

Ultrasonic aspiration—breaks up tumor tissue and removes it from the brain; some tumors are most efficiently removed this way with less damage to normal brain tissue

Internal sources of radiation or medications—can be administered within the tumor cavity

Embolization

The blood supply to tumors can be identified by
angiography
. This blood supply can then be shut off by introducing a variety of plugs. These plugs can block the artery from the inside, causing the tumor to die from lack of blood flow.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.